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Awareness, knowledge and practices with regards to alcohol use of pregnant women in the Missionvale area

  • Authors: Du Preez, Mingon
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Pregnant women -- Alcohol use
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46404 , vital:39572
  • Description: South African statistics, when compared to global statistics, has an above-average occurrence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder(FASD). Alcohol use during pregnancy is on the rise globally and has far-reaching consequences. FASD is an umbrella term that describes the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy.FASDnot only has an abiological, social and emotional negative impact on the individual, but also creates an added burden on the family caring for such an individual. When this condition occurs in a third world country, like South Africa, there is an economic impact as this country has limited physical and human resources to deal with the multitude of repercussions associated with this condition. This study was conducted in the Missionvale Community, an impoverished area of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Participants were selected from this community, as clients attending the psychology clinic in the area frequently present with diagnosed FASD and co-concurring conditions, such as scholastic underachievement and behavioural conditions. These factors perpetuate an individuals inability to rise above their current circumstances as they are frequently unable to complete their schooling and are consequently unable to find unemployment. Prevention of FASD is a social, public and personal health issue that requires a multifaceted approach to intervention. The present study aimed to determine participants’ awareness, knowledge levels and practices with regard to alcohol use during pregnancy. Previous studies conducted in the Eastern Cape have primarily focused on the outcomes of prenatal alcohol exposure rather than the contributing factors, thus making this study the first of its kind to be conducted in the Eastern Cape. The study was quantitative in nature and participants were obtained through purposive sampling. A questionnaire, comprising of four different sections was used to obtain the necessary information. The sections in the questionnaire tapped information about the following concepts: Demographics, awareness, knowledge, and practices of alcohol use by pregnant women. The statistical results and additional comments by the participants assisted the researcher to gain a better understanding of the awareness levels, knowledge, and practices with regard to alcohol use of pregnant women residing in the Missionvale area. The results from the study indicate that participants have a general awareness that alcohol use during pregnancy could be harmful to an unborn baby but lack in-depth specific knowledge of the adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Azadipyrromethenes for applications in photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy and optical limiting

  • Authors: Dubazana, Nadine
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Dyes and dyeing -- Chemistry , Photochemotherapy , Cancer -- Photochemotherapy , Anti-infective agents , Staphylococcus aureus , Nonlinear optics , Azadipyrromethenes , BODIPY
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166150 , vital:41333
  • Description: Azadipyrromethenes, azaBODIPYs and zinc azadipyrromethene complexes were prepared and characterised to examine the effect on their photophysical properties of incorporating phenyl groups at the 1,3,5,7-positions with electron-donating and withdrawing groups at the para-positions. To enhance their ability to generate singlet oxygen, appropriate structural modifications were made through the addition of a Zn(II) ion or halogenation at the 2,6 positions. In vitro photodynamic therapy (PDT) studies targeting MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were carried out. To evaluate and understand the effectiveness of the dyes as photosensitisers, cellular uptake, phototoxicity and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were analysed. Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) studies were also carried out to study the effectiveness of the dyes against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Dyes with donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) properties were synthesised and tested against the second harmonic of the Nd:YAG laser in optical limiting (OL) studies. The second-order hyperpolarisability, third-order susceptibility and nonlinear absorption coefficient values were determined. The results suggest that 1,3,5,7-azaBODIPY dyes may be less suitable for use in this context than analogous D-π-A 3,5-distyrylBODIPY dyes. Molecular modelling was carried out to identify the structure-property relationships of the synthesised dyes by analysing trends in the energies of the frontier molecular orbitals (MOs) and spectroscopic properties.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Bail applications in Nigeria and South Africa

  • Authors: Babalola, Abdulateef Taiwo
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Bail -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , LLM
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47325 , vital:39847
  • Description: Between the point of arrest and conviction, an accused person has a right to be released on bail based on his or her Constitutional right to liberty as well as the right to be presumed innocent. To grant bail to an accused person serves as a form of contract of insurance or a guarantee that if the accused person is released pending the determination of the case against him, he will not frustrate the course of justice and will appear at a later date to face trial. The essence of bail is to allow the accused person enjoy his right to liberty pending the determination of the criminal charge if the interest of justice will permit for his or her release. This study aims at comparing bail proceedings in both the Nigerian and South African criminal justice systems. The constitutions of both jurisdictions make provision for bail, as well as the Administration of Criminal Justice Act applicable in Nigeria and the Criminal Procedure Act which is applicable in South Africa. By comparing both jurisdictions, the similarities and differences that exist between both systems will become evident, which makes them unique and distinct of each other. During the course of this study, it will be discovered that the Nigerian bail procedure do not meet up to international standards in protecting the right to personal liberty of accused persons. It is believed that the recommendations that will be suggested in this study will improve the Nigerian bail procedure and make it more effective and efficient.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Bayesian accelerated life tests for the Weibull distribution under non-informative priors

  • Authors: Mostert, Philip
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Accelerated life testing -- Statistical methods , Accelerated life testing -- Mathematical models , Failure time data analysis , Bayesian statistical decision theory , Monte Carlo method , Weibull distribution
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/172181 , vital:42173
  • Description: In a competitive world where products are designed to last for long periods of time, obtaining time-to-failure data is both difficult and costly. Hence for products with high reliability, accelerated life testing is required to obtain relevant life-data quickly. This is done by placing the products under higher-than-use stress levels, thereby causing the products to fail prematurely. Part of the analysis of accelerated life-data requires a life distribution that describes the lifetime of a product at a given stress level and a life-stress relationship – which is some function that describes the way in which the life distribution changes across different stress levels. In this thesis it is assumed that the underlying life distribution is the wellknown Weibull distribution, with shape parameter constant over all stress levels and scale parameter as a log-linear function of stress. The primary objective of this thesis is to obtain estimates from Bayesian analysis, and this thesis considers five types of non-informative prior distributions: Jeffreys’ prior, reference priors, maximal data information prior, uniform prior and probability matching priors. Since the associated posterior distribution under all the derived non-informative priors are of an unknown form, the propriety of the posterior distributions is assessed to ensure admissible results. For comparison purposes, estimates obtained via the method of maximum likelihood are also considered. Finding these estimates requires solving non-linear equations, hence the Newton-Raphson algorithm is used to obtain estimates. A simulation study based on the time-to-failure of accelerated data is conducted to compare results between maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimates. As a result of the Bayesian posterior distributions being analytically intractable, two methods to obtain Bayesian estimates are considered: Markov chain Monte Carlo methods and Lindley’s approximation technique. In the simulation study the posterior means and the root mean squared error values of the estimates under the symmetric squared error loss function and the two asymmetric loss functions: the LINEX loss function and general entropy loss function, are considered. Furthermore the coverage rates for the Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo and maximum likelihood estimates are found, and are compared by their average interval lengths. A case study using a dataset based on accelerated time-to-failure of an insulating fluid is considered. The fit of these data for the Weibull distribution is studied and is compared to that of other popular life distributions. A full simulation study is conducted to illustrate convergence of the proper posterior distributions. Both maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimates are found for these data. The deviance information criterion is used to compare Bayesian estimates between the prior distributions. The case study is concluded by finding reliability estimates of the data at use-stress levels.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

BEd foundation phase fourth year student teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs towards teaching mathematics and the self-reported factors that influence these self-efficacy beliefs

  • Authors: Harrison, Chloe
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- South Africa , Mathematics teachers -- Training of -- South Africa , Educational evaluation -- South Africa , Student teachers -- Training of -- South Africa , Student teachers -- Rating of -- South Africa , Social cognitive theory , Self-efficacy
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/147004 , vital:38584
  • Description: The underperformance of mathematics teaching and learning is a pressing concern in South Africa. Many foundation phase in-service teachers show inadequate mathematics content knowledge which creates barriers to their learners acquiring adequate mathematics skills. Teacher training programmes offer a key opportunity to improve the instructional practices of teachers at foundation phase level. In order to improve the teaching skills of in-service teachers, one focus must be on teacher training programmes. Unfortunately, there are many foundation phase student teachers who are leaving the profession within the first few years of teaching reportedly due to low levels of motivation. This research investigates the self-efficacy beliefs of pre-service student teachers. It also focuses on foundation phase student teachers as they experience significant challenges to their self-efficacy beliefs in mathematics and mathematics teaching. Self-efficacy is the key theory of the study. It stems from Bandura’s social cognitive theory and is an individual’s judgments about their capabilities, skills and perceived performance. This qualitative research adopts an interpretivist approach which seeks to identify Bed foundation phase fourth year student teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs towards teaching mathematics and the self-reported factors influencing such beliefs. This research found that BEd foundation phase fourth year student teachers have low self-efficacy beliefs towards teaching mathematics. The purpose of this research is to raise awareness of the BEd student teachers’ low self-efficacy beliefs towards teaching mathematics. The results from this research will provide a platform for future intervention research, as well as potentially influencing student teacher training programmes.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Beef quality, oxidative stability and fatty acid composition of Nguni heifers fed diets with incremental levels of Opuntia ficus-indica (cactus) cladodes

  • Authors: Mkhosi, Silungile
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Meat -- Quality
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Animal Science )
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/18732 , vital:42728
  • Description: The objective of the study was to determine meat quality, fatty acid (FA) composition and shelf-life stability of longissimus muscle of Nguni heifers fed incremental levels of Opuntia ficus-indica (cactus) cladodes. A total of 32 heifers aged 36 months were allocated randomly to four dietary treatments: 10% cactus, 20% cactus, commercial and control diets for 90 days. The longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) samples were taken from each carcass for the determination of meat quality, retail shelf-life stability and FA composition. Diet had no effect (P > 0.05) on pH and drip display, however, there was an increase in drip display with ageing time (P ≤ 0.05). Meat colour attributes (L* a* b* and C*) were influenced by diet, with 20% cactus diet having lower L* values compared to other diets (P ≤ 0.05). During a 14-day retail display, a diet  day interaction was observed for hue angle with the cactus diets having the lowest values at day 14 of display compared to the other diets (P ≤ 0.05). Differences in meat from heifers fed different diets were observed with 20% cactus accounting for significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher levels of deoxymyoglobin and the lowest levels of oxymyoglobin. Thawing loss and Warner Bratzler shear force decreased (P ≤ 0.05) with ageing period. Meat from heifers fed cactus diets had lower (P ≤ 0.05) proportions of oleic acid (C18:1n9c) and total MUFA, higher (P ≤ 0.05) proportions of total SFA, C15:1, C17:1, linoleic acid (C18:2n6c) and total PUFA. The control diet produced meat with the highest thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values compared to other diets (P ≤ 0.05) and with ageing TBARS values increased (P ≤ 0.05). Diet showed an effect (P ≤ 0.05) on sensory attributes such as overall tenderness and mouth feel with cactus diets accounting for lower scores. However, juiciness, overall tenderness, grassy and animal like attributes increased with ageing (P ≤ 0.05). Inclusion of cactus in the diet did not produce any adverse effects on meat quality, fatty acid composition, lipid oxidation and sensory quality. Therefore, it can be concluded that inclusion of cactus in Nguni heifer finisher diets up to 20% can improve meat quality.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Best practices to address medical identity theft awareness : the case of South African medical aid members

  • Authors: Ah Why, Brandon Lawrence
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Medical records -- Access control -- South Africa Identity theft -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MIT
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49396 , vital:41708
  • Description: The prevalence of medical identity theft continues to increase. This is a concern for medical aid members within the South African private healthcare sector. Medical identity theft can be caused by various individuals, including internal and external role players. The deceptions involved in medical identity theft can affect medical aid members, the healthcare industry, and medical aids. Medical aid members remain unaware that they are victims of medical identity theft until they receive high medical bills or are notified by their healthcare providers. This research study focused on the lack of awareness of medical identity theft among medical aid members. The main objective of this research study was to propose best practices that can be used to address medical aid members’ awareness of medical identity theft in the South African private healthcare sector. Sub-objectives were used to achieve the main objective. The first sub-objective was to identify the parties causing and the parties affected by medical identity theft. The second sub-objective was to determine the level of medical identity theft awareness among medical aid members in the South African private healthcare sector. The third sub-objective was to identify best practices to address medical identity theft awareness. The methodology used by this exploratory research study included a convergent mixed method design, which was used to obtain quantitative and qualitative data. Data collection was completed using a literature review and a questionnaire. Data analysis and reporting made use of a qualitative content analysis, descriptive statistics, and logical argumentation. Respondents’ answers to a questionnaire about their experiences with medical identity theft provided insight into South African medical aid members’ awareness of medical identity theft. The data gathered from the respondents was analysed, and themes emerged that emphasised a lack of awareness of medical identity theft among South African medical aid members. Twenty-six pre-emptive and nine retroactive best practices to address medical identity theft awareness were identified from existing literature. These best practices were cross-referenced to determine their relevance to the list of concerns about medical identity theft that emanated from the survey completed by South African medical aid members.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Between past and future: memory and mourning in the stories of Okwiri Oduor and Ndinda Kioko

  • Authors: Awuor, Nicholas Amol
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Oduor, Okwiri -- Criticism and interpretation , Oduor, Okwiri -- The plea bargain , Oduor, Okwiri -- My father's head , Oduor, Okwiri -- Rag doll , Kioko, Ndinda -- Criticism and interpretation , Kioko, Ndinda -- Sometime Before Maulidi , Kioko, Ndinda -- Some Freedom Dreams , Authors, Kenyan -- Criticism and interpretation , Kenyan fiction (English) -- History and criticism , Kenyan literature (English) -- History and criticism
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/163168 , vital:41015
  • Description: This study investigates the literary activities of two emerging female Kenyan writers, Claudette Okwiri Oduor and Jacqueline Ndinda Kioko, both of whom are award-winning authors. Oduor won the 2014 Caine Prize for African Writing while Kioko bagged the Wasafiri New Writing Fiction Award 2017. It examines specifically how the writers deal with memory and mourning in negotiating between the past and future. I explore how their fictional and non-fictional narratives assist individuals and groups to confront loss, reconstruct new identities, and renegotiate belonging amidst personal and social upheaval. The fictional narratives at the centre of this research are Oduor’s “The Plea Bargain” (2011), “My Father’s Head” (2013) and “Rag Doll” (2014), and Kioko’s “Sometime Before Maulidi” (2014) and “Some Freedom Dreams” (2017). The study explores the themes of mental illness, existential crisis, and fragmentation, and considers bereavement, queer relationships, cultural freedom, and social recognition. The research further considers the active participation of these two writers in Kenya’s contemporary literary-cultural conversations, which span different genres and various media platforms, including blogs, YouTube clips, online magazines, and social media networks in dialogue with other writers. I trace the significance of the literary-cultural link these authors have with their local, continental, and global counterparts in countries like Uganda, Nigeria, and South Africa. The link finds expression through their (in)direct association with some of the new online publishing outlets in Kenya like Jalada Africa, Enkare Review, and Kikwetu. More importantly, their shared participation in and association with such international awards and scholarships as the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, Kwani Trust Manuscript Project, and Miles Morland Foundation is integral in apprehending contemporary literary exchanges and multidirectional flows of publishing in Africa and beyond. I equally illustrate how mentorship of younger writers through local writers’ organisations and collectives like AMKA and Writivism help in the formation of an alternative canon other than the mainstream. The study affirms that the authors seem to transcend the boundaries of production and circulation by fluidly moving between electronic and non-electronic platforms, thus mimicking the memory production of remembering, repeating, and working through.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Between past and future: memory and mourning in the stories of Okwiri Oduor and Ndinda Kioko

  • Authors: Awuor, Nicholas Amol
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Women authors, Kenyan , Oduor, Okwiri -- The plea bargain , Oduor, Okwiri -- My father's head , Oduor, Okwiri -- Rag doll , Kioko, Ndinda -- Sometime before Maulidi , Kioko, Ndinda -- Some freedom dreams , Women and literature -- Africa , Bereavement -- Fiction , Culture in literature , Liberty in literature
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/161229 , vital:40608
  • Description: This study investigates the literary activities of two emerging female Kenyan writers, Claudette Okwiri Oduor and Jacqueline Ndinda Kioko, both of whom are award-winning authors. Oduor won the 2014 Caine Prize for African Writing while Kioko bagged the Wasafiri New Writing Fiction Award 2017. It examines specifically how the writers deal with memory and mourning in negotiating between the past and future. I explore how their fictional and non-fictional narratives assist individuals and groups to confront loss, reconstruct new identities, and renegotiate belonging amidst personal and social upheaval. The fictional narratives at the centre of this research are Oduor’s “The Plea Bargain” (2011), “My Father’s Head” (2013) and “Rag Doll” (2014), and Kioko’s “Sometime Before Maulidi” (2014) and “Some Freedom Dreams” (2017). The study explores the themes of mental illness, existential crisis, and fragmentation, and considers bereavement, queer relationships, cultural freedom, and social recognition. The research further considers the active participation of these two writers in Kenya’s contemporary literary-cultural conversations, which span different genres and various media platforms, including blogs, YouTube clips, online magazines, and social media networks in dialogue with other writers. . I trace the significance of the literary-cultural link these authors have with their local, continental, and global counterparts in countries like Uganda, Nigeria, and South Africa. The link finds expression through their (in)direct association with some of the new online publishing outlets in Kenya like Jalada Africa, Enkare Review, and Kikwetu. More importantly, their shared participation in and association with such international awards and scholarships as the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, Kwani Trust Manuscript Project, and Miles Morland Foundation is integral in apprehending contemporary literary exchanges and multidirectional flows of publishing in Africa and beyond. I equally illustrate how mentorship of younger writers through local writers’ organisations and collectives like AMKA and Writivism help in the formation of an alternative canon other than the mainstream. The study affirms that the authors seem to transcend the boundaries of production and circulation by fluidly moving between electronic and non-electronic platforms, thus mimicking the memory production of remembering, repeating, and working through.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Biology, stock assessment and angler attitudes towards the introduction of slot size limits for a recreationally important species Sparodon durbanensis (Sparidae) in South Africa

  • Authors: Hewett, Kyle
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Sparidae -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48389 , vital:40855
  • Description: Sparodon durbanensis (white musselcracker) is an endemic fish species in the Family Sparidae found in shallow (< 20 m) coastal waters from the Western Cape to KwaZulu-Natal. It is large-growing, late-maturing, long-lived and is a popular target species in the South African marine shore-based line and spear fisheries. Management regulations for the species have remained the same for over two decades despite anecdotal information of population declines. However, since the last life history-information for S. durbanensis was collected in the late 1980s, there is a paucity of contemporary information needed to inform wise management. The aim of this study was to collect contemporary socio-ecological information on the species and its fishery in order to better inform the management of the species. In order to do this, the growth-rate of historical and contemporary samples of Sparodon durbanensis was compared, a length-based stock assessment was performed and the knowledge and attitudes of anglers towards the introduction of improved regulations were investigated. The growth-rate was compared using otolith width as a proxy for fish growth. It was found that the growth-rate had remained relatively stable between 1963 and 2010, suggesting that S. durbanensis may be resilient to the increasing levels of environmental variability observed throughout its range and that the historical growth parameters determined for this species may remain applicable for contemporary stock assessment. The batch fecundity was determined for 50 mm size classes and used to estimate the percentage cumulative population batch fecundity using historical 803 mm FL (904 mm TL) and contemporary 776 mm FL (874 mm TL) length structure, respectively. Based on these observations a suitable harvest slot limit of 600-850 mm TL was suggested. A Length-Based Spawning Potential Ratio (SPR) model was used to provide the first formal stock assessment for S. durbanensis. The input parameters of M/k=1.44, L∞=1021 mm FL, L50=350 mm FL and L95=800 mm FL and length composition data comprising of 134 lengths obtained from a collection of competitive angling catches, estimated a SPR of 41%, which is above the 40% target reference point. A total of 126 online and face– to-face, replica questionnaires were completed by spearfishermen and recreational shore anglers. Responses indicated that anglers that target S. durbanensis are generally a specialized group who are knowledgeable about the biology and ecology of the species and are passionate about the conservation of the species. Participants indicated that Marine Protected Areas are likely the most effective regulation in the current suite of regulations used to manage the fishery and suggested that poor law enforcement was the major factor inhibiting the efficacy of fishery regulations. New proposed regulations, such as a harvest slot limit (and particularly the one between 600-850 mm TL) for S. durbanensis, was well supported, however participants suggested that non-compliance was a concern. Although, the SPR remained above the 40% target reference point, further declines in the stock status should be prevented through the implementation of a 600-850 mm TL harvest slot limit. Based on the findings of this study, this limit should provide protection against both growth and recruitment overfishing by providing protection to sexually immature, fast growing fish and to large adults that contribute the greatest proportion to population replenishment.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Blockchain readiness for countries towards 2030- the barriers and benefits of adopting blockchain technology

  • Authors: Moonsamy, Devakumaran
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Blockchains (Databases) Financial institutions -- Technological innovations
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49725 , vital:41783
  • Description: This study investigates the factors of blockchain that will promote sustainable business towards the year 2030. The study provides an outlook to areas where business might be vulnerable in the event of blockchain implementation. The findings of this study were identified by means of an online questionnaire that targeted specialists in the arena of blockchain and business management. By a thematic analysis, the outcome of the study guides, precautions, and prepares organisations for what may come in the future of blockchain.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

BODIPY dyes for application in the photo-oxidation of pollutants, photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy, and nonlinear optics

  • Authors: Kelechi, Lebechi Augustus
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Dyes and dyeing -- Chemistry , Fluorescent probes , Fluorescence spectroscopy
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/140298 , vital:37859
  • Description: The synthesis and structural characterization of a series of BODIPY dyes to analyze both the effects of halogenations at the 2,6-positions and the introduction of styryl groups at the 3,5-positions. The photophysical properties of these dyes were investigated to determine their suitability as singlet oxygen-generating photosensitiser dyes for application in photocatalytic degradation of azo dyes and in photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT). Upon halogenation, the dyes showed high to moderate singlet oxygen quantum yields. The potential utility of electrospun polystyrene (PS) nanofibres embedded with halogenated BODIPY dyes for the photocatalytic degradation of Orange G and Methyl Orange from textile industry effluents were investigated. A comparison of the singlet oxygen quantum yield of the BODIPY dyes in solution and when embedded in the PS nanofibres support demonstrates that its photosensitiser properties are maintained in the nanofibre mats. The photocatalytic degradation properties of the PS nanofibres for Orange G and Methyl Orange were determined by using a 530 nm and 660 nm light-emitting diodes. The rate of photodegradation increases with both the Orange G and Methyl Orange concentrations and follows pseudo-first-order kinetics. The PACT activities of brominated BODIPYs on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. Log reduction values of over 9 were obtained during the photoinactivation of Staphylococcus aureus. To be able to red-shift the main spectral band of the BODIPY dyes into the therapeutic window, styryl groups were introduced at the 3,5-positions through a modified Knoevenagel condensation reaction. Because the red-shifted spectral band lies above 532 nm, the second harmonic of the Nd:YAG laser, there is very minute absorption at this wavelength. One of the novel brominated BODIPY dyes was investigated for its potential utility as optical limiting materials in nonlinear optics (NLO), and the dyes demonstrated typical nonlinear absorption behaviour characterised by reverse saturable absorption (RSA) in Z-scan measurements. Excellent optical limiting parameters were obtained for third-order susceptibility and hyperpolarisability.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Budget Deficits, the Savings Gap and Current Account Deficits in the Southern African Development Community

  • Authors: Kopeledi, Alyssa
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Budget deficits -- South Africa Accounts current
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Economics)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12392 , vital:39259
  • Description: This study examines the validity of the triple deficit hypothesis for a selected number of SADC countries, utilising secondary annual data for the period 1996-2018. Based on previous studies and theory, current account deficit was chosen as the dependent variable and budget deficit and the savings gap as the independent variables. The study makes use of both first generation and second-generation unit root tests to examine the time series properties of the data. The empirical results show that the data is integrated of different orders. Kao, Pedroni and Westerlund cointegration tests were carried out to examine the long-term relationship between the variables of interest. The empirical results revealed that there is a long-term relationship between current account deficit, budget deficit s and the savings gap. The long-run model under the Autoregressive Distributed Lag test revealed that, a positive and significant relationship exists between budget deficit and current account deficit at a significance level of 10% and a negative and insignificant relationship exists between savings gap and current account deficit in the long run. This suggests that an improvement in the current account balance in SADC countries requires fiscal stringency
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Building a flexible and inexpensive multi-layer switch for software-defined networks

  • Authors: Magwenzi, Tinashe
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Software-defined networking (Computer network technology) , Telecommunication -- Switching systems , OpenFlow (Computer network protocol) , Local area networks (Computer networks)
  • Language: English
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142841 , vital:38122
  • Description: Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is a paradigm which enables the realisation of programmable network through the separation of the control logic from the forwarding functions. This separation is a departure from the traditional architecture. Much of the work done in SDN enabled devices has concentrated on higher end, high speed networks (10s GBit/s 100s GBit/s), rather than the relatively low bandwidth links (10s MBit/s to a few GBit/s) which are seen, for example, in South Africa. As SDN is increasingly becoming more accepted, due to its advantages over the traditional networks, it has been adopted for industrial purposes such as networking in data centres and network providers. The demand for programmable networks is increasing but is limited by the ability of providers to upgrade their infrastructure. In addition, as access to the Internet has become less expensive, the use of Internet is increasing in academic institutions, NGOs, and small to medium enterprises. This thesis details a means of building and managing a small scale Software-Defined Network using commodity hardware and open source tools. Core to the SDN Network illustrated in this thesis is the prototype of a multi-layer SDN switch. The proposed device is targeted to serve lower bandwidth communication (in relation to commercially produced high speed SDN-enabled devices). The performance of the prototype multilayer switch had shown to achieve: data-rates of up to 99.998%, average latencies that are under 40µs during forwarding/switching and under 100µs during routing while using packet sizes between 64 bytes and 1518 bytes, and a jitter of less than 15µs during all tests. This research explores in detail the design, development, and management of a multi-layer switch and its placement and integration in small scale SDN network. This includes testing of Layer 2 forwarding and Layer 3 routing, OpenFlow compliance testing, the management of the switch using created SDN applications, and real life network functionality such as forwarding, routing and VLAN networking to demonstrate its real world applicability.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Centrality of religiosity as a moderator of the relationship between workplace spirituality and organisational citizenship behaviour among police officers in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality

  • Authors: Noko, Sibongile
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Religion in the workplace Employees -- Religious life Organizational change
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom (Industrial Psychology)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12491 , vital:39268
  • Description: The significant positive relationships between workplace spirituality and organisational citizenship behaviour, as well as between centrality of religiosity and oganisational citizenship behaviour among police officers, confirm the relevance of social exchange theory and affective events theory to police officers’ behaviour. This study confirms the applicability of Social Exchange Theory (SET) and Affective Events Theory (AET). The current study utilized the SET and AET to examine the correlation between workplace spirituality and centrality of religiosity as well as organisational citizenship behaviour among Police officers in the Raymond Mlaba Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape. There is limited previous research concerning the influence of workplace spirituality and centrality of religiosity on organisational citizenship behaviour among police officers in the South African Police Services (SAPS) Department. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted. The sample (N= 100) consist of Police officers from Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality Police stations. Data were collected through the questionnaire method and SPSS was used for data analysis. A correlational analysis coupled with a simple linear regression analysis was utilised to determine whether there existed any significant relationship with the study’s theoretical attributes. The results of the simple linear regression indicated that workplace spirituality is positively correlated with organisational citizenship behaviour; which is similar to the centrality of religiosity. The results from multiple linear regression showed that the centrality of religiosity does moderate the correlation between workplace spirituality and organisational citizenship behaviour. The results of Multiple linear regression also showed that Workplace spirituality and centrality of religiosity both account for an extensively higher proportion vi of variance in organisational citizenship behaviour than in any of the two variables. This study augments existing knowledge on workplace spirituality, the centrality of religiosity and organisational citizenship behaviour among Police officers in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, which has largely been ignored by previous researchers, validates certain aspects of the SET and AET. The Station Commanders or Captains should give consideration on how to make the workplace more conducive to the centrality of religiosity and workplace spirituality; so that the Police officers can increase their organisational citizenship behaviour. Strategies need to be implemented to improve managerial and coworker support for Police officers through socialization and team building activities. However, to overcome feelings of occupational stress and their effects on well-being, employers should provide adequate information on any changes in the police service that may entail excessive work demand and dangerous working conditions.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Challenges experienced by educators of tourism and coping strategies

  • Authors: Muller, Merilyn Elizabeth
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Tourism -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MPhil
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49964 , vital:41965
  • Description: Education is imperative for the economy and for the employment of the youth, particularly given the high levels of youth unemployment in South Africa. The introduction of Tourism as a school subject is perceived as a gateway to employment opportunities for unemployed people and as a means to stimulate the economy of the country. Educators, especially in South African township schools, often teach in less favourable conditions and experience many challenges which require innovative solutions. This study contributes to an understanding of the challenges faced by educators teaching Tourism, especially educators teaching in township areas in the Nelson Mandela Bay district. Of particular importance is the coping strategies used by these educators to innovatively deal with these challenges. This purpose of the study was therefore to investigate the challenges experienced by educators that teach Tourism at township high schools in two Circuit Management Centres (CMC) in the Nelson Mandela Bay district in Port Elizabeth. A qualitative research design was followed with interviews as the empirical data collecting tool. The sample consisted of 16 educators teaching Tourism to Grade 11 and 12 learners at selected schools. The data collected was analysed qualitatively, using thematic analysis. The findings of this study revealed many challenges experienced by educators of Tourism at township schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay district. The key challenges for educators related to resources, learners, the system, teachers and infrastructure. The results revealed that the educators used a variety of coping techniques to deal with these challenges. The researcher makes recommendations to the different stakeholders in education to address these challenges, as well as make suggestions for future research.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Challenges of electronic surveillance in combating crime and addressing developmental issues in Port Elizabeth

  • Authors: Dyasi, Alutha Vusisizwe
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Electronics in criminal investigation --South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/49823 , vital:41805
  • Description: Crime has been prevalent in South Africa, particularly in Port Elizabeth where violent crimes such as attempted murder, murder, sexual offences, robbery and hijacking have been reported to the South African Police Service. These violent crimes are mostly prevalent in police precincts such as Gelvandale, Bethelsdorp, Kwazakhele, New Brighton and Walmer. As a result, development in these police precincts has been affected negatively. This is highlighted by how developmental issues such as poverty and unemployment have been ubiquitous due to the manner with which crime has an effect on development. ICT companies are continuously providing solutions to crime-related challenges. The emergence of new technologies, such as CCTV surveillance cameras, drones and facial recognition software have been proven to be a solution to combating crime in some developing countries in Africa. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the challenges of electronic surveillance in combating crime and addressing developmental issues in Port Elizabeth. The study found out that the developmental issues faced by communities in Port Elizabeth include unemployment, poverty, a high crime rate, substance abuse, and a lack of resources. In addition, the study concluded that, the lack of education and skills development, gangsterism, unemployment and poverty were amongst the main causes of crime in Port Elizabeth. The study also revealed that, the SAPS does not have enough electronic surveillance devices such as CCTV cameras installed in high crime areas, thus, recommendations were made on how electronic surveillance can be used to combat crime and address developmental issues
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Change of perspectives and behaviour regarding lifestyle, with emphasis on dietary habits, in a rural community

  • Authors: Barnard, Mariska
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Food habits
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/46384 , vital:39565
  • Description: Background: The steady increase in deaths due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in South Africa is raising concern, as 63% of all deaths worldwide are attributed to NCDs and these diseases cause 36 million deaths each year, with 80 % of incidences occurring in low-and middle-income countries. In rural communities where income is increasing, the prevalence of NCDs are increasing as well. Due to the lack of NCD prevention and treatment in rural communities, it is expected that, if health promotion strategies are not implemented and socio-economic development in South Africa continues, there will soon be an uncontrollable NCD epidemic. It has been found that dietary risks affected people’s healthirrespective of their age, gender or residential sociodemographic development and that dietary improvement might prevent one in every five deaths worldwide.Aim:The aim of this study was to determine the factors that influence the perceptions and behaviour in a rural community with a low socio-economic status regarding dietary habits and to use the knowledge to formulate an effective dietary modification strategy.Designand methodology:For this study,action research with a quantitative and qualitative component was followed.The quantitative component focuses on measureable aspects, and the qualitative component focuses on meaning. Data was collected following the standard operating procedure for anthropometry, blood pressure and blood glucose. Further methods used were questionnaires, 24-hour dietary recalls and focus group discussions. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel, FoodFinder3 and other calculations.Sample and setting:A convenience sample (n = 16) wasused and this study was undertaken on request of the non-governmental organization, Karoo Angels and included all participants who earn an income and who do not work for themselves, that were willing to participate and living in Rietbron and Vondeling, in the Sarah BaartmanDistrict in the Eastern Cape. Results:Weight changes took place, both the crafters in the mild thinness category gained weight, one gained 3.9 kg and the other 0.5 kg. The three crafters in the normal category did not have to gain or lose weight, but all three ofthem gained an average of 3.6 kg. For the group who had to lose weight, no statistically significant weight change took place from before the intervention (76.08 ±17.67 kg) to after the intervention (75.81 ± 17.81 kg, t(10) = 0.692, p = 0.505). The maximum weight lost ivwas 3.1 kg and the maximum weight gained was 3.2 kg. Changes took place regarding BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and neck circumference. Some positively changed their BMI status.After the implementation of the intervention, there was a slight decrease in frequency of alcohol consumption, but smoking and physical activity remained mostly the same. Hypertension was the most prevalent NCD and is linked to smoking and alcohol consumption which is prevalent in this study. Fruit and vegetable consumption is low, and a slight increase in consumption was evident. A maximum dietary diversityscore of seven and minimum of two, where the mean was 3.81was found. The crafters’ diet did not meet the DASH diet recommendation,the mean energy distribution is of all macronutrients differ with ±4% and none of the participants’ mean micronutrients intake met the recommendations of the DASH diet or RDA. Factors that prevent them from reaching their goals included low income, low availability of fruit, vegetables and transport and no storage for food.Conclusion:It is important to consider the individuals’ living conditions, resources, knowledge, motivation and social group. The environment and resources available have a significant impact on the lifestyle of the individuals. Directing efforts of behaviour change to increase dietary diversity as the main objective, might be a more efficient way to change behaviour.Recommendations:Future studies should consider doing this study over a longer time period. The involvement of a psychologist would also be beneficial to assist the process of behaviour change.
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Chasing Eden: Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy and the value of reading in a technological age

  • Authors: Bosman, Zoë June
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Atwood, Margaret, 1939- MaddAddam trilogy , Speculative fiction -- History and criticism , Capitalism in literature , Dystopias in literature , Science fiction -- History and criticism , Technology in literature
  • Language: English
  • Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145796 , vital:38467
  • Description: This thesis is focussed on Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy: Oryx and Crake (2003) The Year of the Flood (2009) and MaddAddam (2013). Detailing Atwood’s own specifications as to why these texts should be categorised as works of speculative fiction, the thesis examines how this literary genre, and Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy in particular, is uniquely capable of encouraging readers to interrogate critically the socio-economic, environmental, and ethical problems to which she, and the contemporary reader, bear witness in the present technological age. With reference to Atwood’s essays and critical writings, Darko Suvin’s Metamorphoses of Science Fiction, and Wolfgang Iser’s The Act of Reading, this project explores the value of reading speculative fiction and details how Atwood has constructed the fictional, yet plausible, possible future world of her trilogy by extrapolating our current scientific capabilities, environmental challenges, and political configurations to their logical conclusions. It explores the close relationship that exists between the near-future world of Atwood’s texts and the contemporary context from which she has drawn her subject matter, and argues that the trilogy demonstrates graphically the long-term consequences of capitalism, sustainability, and the doctrine of human exceptionalism, which this project, following Yuval Harari, defines as orthodox guiding narratives: fictions that humanity has created, and which structure our perception of reality and guide our behaviour. The project maintains that Atwood’s trilogy presents the reader with a hypothetical future that looks towards and beyond the end of contemporary technological society in order to urge her reader to imagine, and actualize, alternatives to the scenarios that these texts depict. The most significant question Atwood’s texts ask is whether contemporary technological society is willing and able to transform in order to avert the ecological apocalypse that is the logical conclusion to the Anthropocene?
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  • Date Issued: 2020

Chinatown

  • Authors: Kamfer, Ronelda S.
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Afrikaans poetry -- 21st century
  • Language: Afrikaans
  • Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MA
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/142375 , vital:38074
  • Description: Creative work portfolio.
  • Full Text:
  • Date Issued: 2020
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